Written Statement: Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence – National Adviser Annual Report 2023-24 (18 November 2024)

I am publishing today the Annual Report for 2023-24 produced by Yasmin Khan and Johanna Robinson, the National Advisers for Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV as required by Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015.

It details the National Advisers' progress against the objectives they set for themselves in their Annual Plan for 2023-24 in their continued work to advise and assist Welsh Ministers to deliver the purpose of the VAWDASV Act and summarises the position up to the end of March 2024.

Their advice and assistance is vital in helping us deliver the objectives of the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy for 2022-2026, including the delivery of the Blueprint workstreams and action. The establishment of the All-Wales Survivor Panel has been one of the most significant milestones for the National Advisers in 2023-24 and demonstrates the National advisers continued commitment towards bringing lived experience into the delivery of our aim of making Wales the safest place to be a woman. This panel, made up of survivors of VAWDASV from diverse backgrounds, has become an integral component of our efforts to prevent violence and protect survivors.

The National Advisers' knowledge and expertise continued to drive forward change for victims, survivors and the specialist sector and I would like to thank them for the continued support they have given to me and my officials throughout the reporting period.

The report can be accessed here:

https://www.gov.wales/violence-against-women-domestic-abuse-and-sexual-violence-national-advisers-annual-report-2023-2024